Nido’s death a national shame: Modi

Guwahati: BJP Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on Saturday said the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania in Delhi is a matter of national shame and asked the Centre and the Delhi government to shun their blame game on the issue and ensure justice for him.

He said such incidents further alienate the people of the northeastern States, which due to the “unfortunate policies” of the Congress have been neglected and have not developed in the last 60 years.

“It (the death of Nido Taniam in Delhi) is a shameful incident for the nation. I offer my prayers for the boy and his family…There is lack of governance there. There are cases of atrocities on women.

“I hope the Government of India and the government of Delhi come out of the blame game and works towards ensuring justice for the young boy and his family,” Mr. Modi said.

19-year-old Taniam, an Arunachal Pradesh MLA’s son, was found dead last month after he was allegedly beaten up by a group of 5-6 men in Lajpat Nagar market in South Delhi following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

Mr. Modi attacked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for failing to ensure the development of the North East region despite representing it for the last 23 years in the Rajya Sabha.

“The Congress chief ministers invite the Prime Minister for laying foundation stone or cutting ribbons for projects but it ends there and nothing happens afterwards,” he said.

The BJP leader said the NDA Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had taken the initiative of creating a separate ministry for the northeastern region and taken steps to develop it but the Congress governments in the state and the Centre “have been indulging in corruption only”.

The BJP leader listed the issues of insurgency and the drug-trafficking as the ones impacting the north-eastern region and accused the Congress government in the state of failing in its efforts to control the menace.

He said insurgency was also leading to “fake encounters” which is going to further spoil the situation.

Mr. Modi said the BJP will work towards developing the potential of herbal industry, horticulture and agro-processing industries when it comes to power.